Australian radio host Jackie O slammed for apparent 'homophobic' slur

Jackie O has come under fire for making apparent homophobic slurs live on air.

The Australian radio personality, who presents The Kyle and Jackie O Show on weekday mornings on 2DayFM alongside Kyle Sandilands, was criticised for saying that her middle name sounds "a bit lez".

While discussing the topic of middle names on the breakfast show yesterday (January 19), Jackie O revealed that she does not like her name Ellen any more because it "sounds a bit lez". She has since been criticised by gay and lesbian rights groups, who claimed that her remarks were a clear reference to US comedian and chatshow host Ellen DeGeneres.

Senthorum Raj from Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby told The Daily Telegraph: "Comments that equate a person's sexual orientation in a derisory way send a harmful, broader message that that sort of ridicule is acceptable, and that is something we actively try and speak up against and challenge. Generally we need to be more careful."

Sandilands was recently slammed for calling a female journalist who criticised his TV show a "fat slag" and threatening to "hunt her down". Numerous sponsors later dumped the star, saying that they had "misjudged" him.